Speaking with Massachusetts: A Primer

[TayTay]

Okay, remember a few weeks ago when Sen. Kerry was in trouble at home because of the non-dispute over Gay Marriage? I told yuhzs that he was not in trouble and that Massachusetts just was in a snit because they hadn't seen him in a while. (Oh yeah, I told you so, who was right? Come on, show me some love over heah.) I told you that the Berkshire Eagle loves it's Jr. Senator and was grumpy and feeling neglected and that all woudl be well when the Senator paid some dues and spoke to some of the home folks.

Today's Berkshire Eagle Editorial:
Senator Kerry said he is a long way from deciding whether or not he will run for president again in 2008, and The Eagle believes the example set by Senator Edward Kennedy, who followed up an unsuccessful run for president by becoming one of the nation's most effective and respected senators, is a good one for the junior senator to follow. The TRIO and Upper Housatonic Valley initiatives offer a reminder that modest local programs are at the mercy of national politics. John Kerry has the knowledge, skills, experience and "values" to provide an alternative to craven, special interest politics, and the Berkshires will certainly welcome his help.

Translation: They loves him, they were just being grumpy so he would notice them. (They loves him a lot. It's just not very Massholey to show it.) The above is, for MA, an unqualified rave. (A love letter. A huge show of undying support. Seriously. They love their wayward senator a lot.)

It can be very difficult to represent 'The Progressive Capital of the World.' What other state has editorialists pissed at you because you are not for Gay Marriage and not for withdrawal from the Iraq War. (And those are the smaller papers.) We are just a pissy bunch of grumps who want to be fawned over and chucked under the chin once in a while and told how upstanding we are as good liberals. Then we are fine. Given that Sen. Kerry has been to the western part of the state once in 2 1/2 years, I think he's good to go now until next year, at least. All is well. Just look to Uncle Ted for guidance, he is, after all, the Greatest Senator Who Ever Lived. (No wonder Sen. Kerry doesn't go back to the Berkshires that much. I like Uncle Ted, but this is like some sort of bizarre ritual of Uncle Ted worship. Yuck! That part is really, really scary. I don't want a clone Senator.)

[katinmn]

1. The local papers just needed some love and attention, huh?

I wish they'd stop and think before they shoot themselves in the foot and do damage to Kerry.

[whometense]

2. I'd like to second that,

as one of the other resident Massholes. ;-)

But, what are these "values" of which you speak?? I heard on Hardball that Democrats don't have morals. :crazy:

[TayTay]

3. This just made me laugh

Massholes are apparently 'easy'; we can be had with a few luscious liberal phrases and with a great visit. How embarrassing. On the other hand, I can be 'had' fairly easily by the exact same thing, so who am I to complain. (I go all weak at the knees with a good pol with great words and commitments. Jest take me now.)

[rox63]

6. I'll third that

Yes, the Massholes of the Wild West were feeling neglected. They really love Kerry. They were just afraid it was unrequited love, and that his eyes were mainly on Washington, instead of with his constituents. The Berkshires and the south coastal areas are now feeling relieved, and can openly (for Massholes, that is) express their undying love for both of their Senators again.

[karynnj]

4. You predicted it perfectly, Tay Tay

Once you parse the whole editorial, "knowledge, skills, experience, and "values" is definitely a rave, especially when contrasted by them against "craven special interest politics". It's kind of hard to see what adjective they could have added to heap more praise on him.

The Kennedy comment is weird, because Kennedy never came as close as Kerry to winning and Kennedy seems almost as eager for Kerry to run as Kerry is. The complexities of Kennedy's life, between his brothers' deaths and his own personal life, may have made it impossible for him to win the Presidency. I love seeing him speak on C-SPAN.

After all the compliments, the encouragement to remain in the Senate seems protective (as you've said he could easily be Senator for life), not wanting Kerry to be rejected again by people in less evolved states. How many knowledgeable, skilled, experienced Presidential candidates with good values and not indebted to craven special interests does this country have? Those would seem to be the values we should be looking for especially in these times.

[TayTay]

5. MA has smaht people

but some times common sense is in short supply. Kerry just needs to be attentive to western MA and other parts of the state and he will be home free. (They really love him. He is wicked smaht you know and he looks like a Senator and he has done a lot for Massachusetts.)

Everybody has these weird diva moments that don't make any friggin sense. MA just had one. Now it's over. We really do love our Jr Senator. He is greatly and deeply esteemed.

I couldn't agree with your sentiment any more if you tied me down and fed me drugs. Just give it time. MA is just feeling picked on.

[politicasista]

7. Here Tay Tay

:loveya: :yourock: